Are We Wise?

A Thought Piece While Reading Proverbs.

I recently found myself reading through some old papers that I’ve kept hidden away. Things I’ve written over the years in order to have a place to express my thoughts and feelings on different subjects.
I’ve always been more of an external processor, and often times I find it hard to let go of certain thoughts until I’ve written them down. One of these thoughts was when I was reading a small section from the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1: 20-25
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. I called you so often, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.”

Am I wise? This is the question I’ve had to constantly ask myself.

See, I love personification in poetry. Bringing life to something often makes it all more relatable through a shared humanistic experience. This particular version of it, sets a scene well. Wisdom is shown to be going down and throughout a city of sorts, crying out to others, urging them to listen to her. Strangely similar to Belle in the beginning of beauty and the beast. Trying to share with the people of the town, something they ought to know about, but no one has regard or care to listen to her.

The most interesting aspect of this piece to me is less so what’s being said, but rather more so where it’s being said. See often times, it’s quicker to think that moments of people “crying out” to others to change their lives in some form or another would address individuals who might be in the slums of the city. Those folks who may be in with what some might consider, the wrong kind of crowd. But this however depicts Wisdom being in the most populous parts of the town. She’s in the square where there would be business men and women gathering for the market. She’s on the main street where everyone, even the middle and upperclass would pass by. She’s even depicted at the city gate which is where during this time in history, the highest brows of society would meet, discuss politics, and wager plans that would affect their civilizations entire future.

It’s easy for me to think myself wise or otherwise simply because I find myself having what seems like “success” in my life. Whatever success actually means. But really how much am I stopping and really paying attention? How often do I intentionally give my time and ear to others around me? Am I really listening to them or am I only hearing what they have to say?
I would certainly encourage anyone to stop and think about this. Changing one’s perspective and decision making isn’t exclusive to those who are young and struggling. It’s for all of us. Deeply evaluating one’s own attitude and motivations is necessary for the every day, whether your current circumstance in life is pleasing or not. One thing to be said, is that every fool gets something right and every wise man has something wrong.

The same proverbs also say this, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.” (4:5-9)

So what exactly does this “getting” look like? To be honest, I’m not quite sure. And it would take more than a lifetime to fully get it; of that I am sure. However, there are a few questions that I prefer to ask when trying to learn new things, and those questions are as simple as “who, what, when, where, why, and how?” Questions that most of us have been taught to ask since our days in elementary school, but many of us have forgotten to use them today.
A more condensed breakdown of these questions that I’ve found to be helpful is information (who/what), understanding (why/how), and discernment (when/where).

Usually when you want to learn something new, the first thing you need to do is have some simple information about it, and be able to identify it. Simply by asking the question “Who is that?” or “what is it?”
After this we can ask the question of “why do we use it?” or “how does this work?” in order to get a better understanding of the thing.
Then lastly we ask questions like “when should I be using this?” or “where should I be applying this?” in order to discern the application.

One way I find best to explain this is when knowing a tool like a hammer. If we aren’t informed as to what a hammer is or what it looks like, we wouldn’t be able to use it, since we wouldn’t be able to recognize its existence. Then, even if we can recognize a hammer, it doesn’t yet mean we understand how to use it. A hammer has two main uses and one of those is to put nails into something, and another is to take nails out of something, but if you don’t know this, then you wouldn’t be able to operate one. Even so, if you couldn’t discern when to use which side of the hammer depending on the scenario you’re working with, you still couldn’t operate it in wisdom for its intended use.
Now it’s certainly possible to use the flat side of a hammer to remove a nail, though rather difficult, and it’s possible to use the hooked side to place a nail, but that doesn’t mean you did it well. Just because you can, doesn’t always mean that you should.
All that to say, this is an image that has helped me, anytime in which I’ve tried to seek out new things.

(As a side note, one aspect of this idea, is that all three parts, Information, Understanding, and Discernment, are perfectly equal in importance. Each of these things relies on the others in order to know the full picture. They all exist in one idea together, not separate, but at the same time each with a uniquely specific role.)

So why do I share all of this? I’m not entirely sure. You’ll find me doing this from time to time. Different thoughts that come to mind while I’m reading something or experiencing life. Questions that I feel ought to be asked. Taking a minute to pause and reflect on something. But my hope is, that you might find some interest in it, just as I have.